<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am a refugee, and my parents and I don’t know how to pay for the tuition. I am going to Colorado School of Mines. This is what their award letter states.</p>
<p>Estimated Expenses (I rounded the numbers)</p>
<p>Tution and Fees------$17,000.00
Loan Fees------------$41.00
Room and Board------$10,000.00
Books and Supplies—$1,500.00
Personal Expenses----$1,200.00
Transportation--------$1,300.00
Total Budget----------$30,700.00</p>
<p>Financial Aids (rounded)</p>
<p>Fed Pell Grant-----------$5,600.00
CSM grant--------------$200.00
CO Grant----------------$1,500.00
CO Work Study----------$1,500.00
Direct Subsidized Loan----$3,500.00
Direct Unsubsidized Loan–$2,000.00
Total--------------------$14,500.00</p>
<p>Please help me find ways to pay for this tuition cost. </p>
<p>What i am doing right now:</p>
<p>-Applying scholarships
-Applying for Fed Pell Grant or FAFSA</p>
<p>Thanks in advanced.</p>
<p>You have already filled out the FAFSA and received the max Pell Grant and Direct loan. You are short $16,200. There are no scholarships that you can get at this point to pay that. </p>
<p>I’m sorry but you are not even close to being able to afford to go. Hopefully you have cheaper options.</p>
<p>@Iron Maiden ~ Currently I am in Semi - finalist for a scholarship which fills what’s needed in tuition.</p>
<p>Very unusual, but ok. Is it for one year or four? What are the requirements to keep it?</p>
<p>Then why are you asking for help here?</p>
<p>@Iron ~ it’s for four years and basically full right.</p>
<p>@sylvan ~ what if i don’t get that scholarship… O.o</p>
<p>What are the requirements to keep the scholarship? GPA, etc. </p>
<p>If you don’t get the scholarship you cannot go. It is as simple as that. There is no money fairy.</p>
<p>@Iron ~ what if i take out loan from a bank? I need to be interviewed on April 5th.</p>
<p>You cannot take out a loan from a bank. No one will give you an unsecured loan. You would need a co-signer that would be responsible for the entire debt if you don’t pay. </p>
<p>Taking out loans above what you have already been awarded is a terrible idea even if it were possible. It is not. </p>
<p>You cannot afford this school without the scholarship. They did not give you a good aid package as a 0 EFC student. What other options for schools do you have?</p>
<p>I only have community college left. Other colleges cost alot too… T.T</p>
<p>That’s your best bet then and then transfer after two year to a school you can afford.</p>
<p>Or take a gap year, attend no classes anywhere and reapply to schools that will give you merit aid.</p>
<p>@Iron ~ thanks for the suggestion. I just don’t want to take a gap year. I will do the two years first and save money for another two years.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that as a transfer in most cases you get less aid than you would as a Freshman. In my opinion your best option is to take a gap year, work and save $, and apply to schools that will give you merit aid.</p>
<p>What is your GPA, and what scores do you have for the ACT or SAT? Some colleges and universities guarantee merit-based aid for applicants who have certain scores. Scroll down through this forum to find the threads about guaranteed merit aid, and automatic full ride scholarships. Some are still accepting applicants. For example, it is my understanding that the cut off date at Prairie View A & M is April 1.</p>
<p>Others have application cut offs in December. If you know that you would qualify for one of these guaranteed scholarships, it probably is better to take next year off, make some money, and apply next year to start classes in the fall of 2014.</p>
<p>If you know that you can’t meet the requirements for those scholarships, then it probably is best to start at your community college. Don’t forget to look for scholarships there too. Some community colleges have their own merit-based scholarships available.</p>
<p>Yes…what is your GPA and SAT breakdown? What is your major? There are still schools awarding merit.</p>
<p>*What i am doing right now:</p>
<p>-Applying scholarships
-Applying for Fed Pell Grant or FAFSA*</p>
<p>You’ve already gotten the Pell Grant…and FAFSA has already been processed…those aren’t new sources of money.</p>
<p>Any scholarships that you’re now applying for won’t work. Those are likely ONLY for frosh year. You’ll be short for the other years.</p>